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her gaze fastened on her son. Robbie stared up at Cole, then looked toward her. After a deep breath, she said quickly, “That’s right, Robbie. Scott’s just playing with the horse, the way all the kids who come here do.”
    “He’s ’sposed to keep the ponies in
there.
” He pointed toward the sitting room. “That’s the rules.”
    “He doesn’t know that,” Cole said. “Why don’t you and Scott go in there with the horses? You can explain the rules to him...while your mama explains a few things to me.”
    “Okay.” Robbie headed toward the younger boy.
    Tina reached for the crumpled brochure and began smoothing it on the desktop. She could feel Cole’s angry gaze on her, could feel the rush of her own anger and confusion spreading through her. Again, she fought an overwhelming desire to hurry over to Robbie, grab him by the hand and flee the hotel.
    Running wasn’t the answer—not that she would choose that way out, anyhow. Neither was this light-headed, weak-kneed, schoolgirl-with-a-crush reaction. She squared her shoulders. If the time had come to tell Cole the truth, to make the explanations she’d spent five long years dreading, she’d stand straight and tall and look him in the eye.
    And if it came down to a battle between them, she would give him the fight of her life—and Robbie’s.
    For what seemed like forever, Cole stood staring at the boys in the sitting room.
    Then he turned back to the desk, placed his palms flat on its surface and glared at her. “When were you planning on telling me?”
    “About what?”
    “About you-damned-well-know what.” To his credit, he kept his voice low and even. Unfortunately, he also leaned in closer, probably to make sure she wouldn’t miss a single word. “You didn’t think I’d take one look at that kid and make the connection?”
    “
That kid
is my son,” she snapped.
    “Mine, too, judging by the looks of him. He’s about a year older than Scott, isn’t he? Which means he’s four.”
    The accuracy of his guess made her flinch.
    “I knew it.” Though he gave her a smug smile, his face had paled. “You might’ve always been the math whiz in school, Tina, but I can danged sure add—”
    “Stop,” she whispered.
    Jed was approaching from the direction of his den.
    Cole shot a look over his shoulder, then turned back to her. “We’re not finished,” he said harshly.
    “You still here?” Jed asked. “Thought you’d be long gone by now.”
    Cole pushed himself away from the desk. “On our way. Tina was just planning to walk us out to my truck so we could finish our conversation.”
    “Fine,” Jed said, smiling.
    “No,” she blurted. “I mean...I told Cole, I’ve got to go help Abuela in the kitchen.”
    “Don’t worry about that,” Jed said. “Maria’s in there. They’ve got everything covered. But I’ll head on back and tell them you’ll be there in a bit. Robbie, you come along with me.”
    She wanted to protest, but one look at Cole’s narrowed eyes and set jaw told her he wouldn’t leave the hotel without her—and if she refused to go, he would blurt out the truth right here.
    * * *
    O UTSIDE , C OLE SQUINTED against the blinding sun hovering at eye level. The strong rays showed up every faded patch of paint on his road-worn truck.
    “I’m over there.” He gestured to the lone vehicle.
    “Come on, Scott,” she said. “Let’s get you into your seat so you can go and have your dinner.”
    As they walked ahead of him, the sun highlighted the silky length of dark braid hanging almost to Tina’s waist. He’d always wanted to unravel that braid and run his fingers through her hair. She hadn’t allowed him that pleasure the one time they’d been together...
    He ran his hand over his face, wanting to wipe away the memory. She wasn’t the only one to blame for what had happened that night. Or the only one responsible for what had come of it.
    Why hadn’t she said something years ago?
    At the truck, while Tina